According to Bild quoting a representative of the German automaker, Mercedes-Benz is looking to start negotiations with investors willing to buy out its entire dealership network in Germany. Apparently, the company had done the same in other European countries and liked the results.
Around 80 showrooms employing roughly 8,000 people in urban and rural areas of Germany will go on sale. Mercedes emphasizes that all these showrooms are turning a profit and will not be closed or otherwise optimized – they will simply be handed over to third parties for management.
All interested businesses must meet a number of strict criteria. For one, they must be ready and willing to cooperate with trade unions and invest in them. For another, their current financial situation must be sound and in the green. Last but not least, Mercedes will not be selling its entire showroom network to the same buyer.
A local trade union has already commented on the sale, calling the company’s decision a ‘slap in the face’ to all employees who spent many years barely making ends meet in order to ensure the lasting profitability of their businesses. The trade union rep called the sale plan proposed by Mercedes ‘unacceptable and poorly detailed.’ Bild added that the change of ownership might lead to the employees’ wages all around the country dropping.